[10/08/08 - 12:56 PM]ABC Takes First on Tuesday in Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54ABC spins the numbers for Tuesday, October 7.

[via press release from ABC]

Quick Take for Tuesday, October 7, 2008 (National Live + Same Day Program Ratings)

ABC Takes First on Tuesday in Adults 18-49 and Adults 25-54 with "Dancing with the Stars Results" and ABC News' Presidential Debate Analysis

From 8-9pm, "Dancing with the Stars Results" Takes Second in the 8pm Hour
in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, Leading its Time Period
and Standing as Tuesday's No.1 Program in Key Women

During the Final Half-Hour of the Evening, ABC News' "Vote 2008:
Analysis-TUE" is the Top Draw Among the Broadcast and Cable Networks

Tuesday Night (8:00-11:00 p.m.)

With "Dancing with the Stars Results-SP" and ABC News' post-Presidential debate analysis, ABC ranked No. 1 in Tuesday prime among Adults 18-49 (3.4/9) and Adults 25-54 (4.4/11-tie). ABC took a strong second in Total Viewers (13.6 million).

"Dancing with the Stars Results - SP" (8:00-9:00 p.m.)

Due to a schedule adjustment for the Presidential debate, a one time only special airing at 8pm of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars Results - SP" won its hour and stood as the No. 1 program on Tuesday night among Women 18-49 (4.8/12) and Women 25-54 (6.1/14). The show took second in the hour in Total Viewers (15.1 million) and finished in a virtual tie for first-place among Adults 18-49 with CBS' "NCIS" (3.6/10 vs. 3.7/10). "DWTS Results" beat out its unscripted competition in the time period, NBC's "The Biggest Loser: Families," by 7.8 million viewers and by 16% in Adults 18-49 ("Loser" = 7.3 million and 3.1/8). Due to the injury suffered by Olympic gold-medalist Misty May-Treanor, who had to drop out of the dance competition, the remaining stars got a one-week reprieve.

"ABC News Vote '08: Presidential Debate" (9:00-10:35 p.m.)

Based on Nielsen's "sustained" ratings, ABC News' Coverage of the Presidential debate drew 13.2 million viewers.

A note about increasing DVR penetration and year-to-year rating comparisons: Year-to-year rating comparisons based on the Live + Same Day data stream are distorted by the level of DVR penetration in the Nielsen sample, which has jumped up to 28% currently, from 20% at the same point in 2007. More viewers are watching shows on their own timetables, which may not be reflected in the overnight next day numbers. The only truly valid year-to-year comparison would be one based on the Live + 7 Day metric, once those stats are released by Nielsen.

Source: Nielsen Media Research (National, Live + Same Day Program Ratings), 10/7/08.